edema

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noun ede·ma \ i-ˈdē-mə \

Definition of edema

1 :an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity — called also dropsy

2 a :watery swelling of plant organs or parts

b :any of various plant diseases characterized by such swellings

—

edematous

play \i-ˈde-mə-təs\ adjective

See edema defined for kids

Recent Examples of edema from the Web

His son, Dr. Joshua Needleman, said the cause was lung failure resulting from edema, an excess of fluid.

— benedict carey, New York Times, "Dr. Herbert Needleman, Who Saw Lead’s Wider Harm to Children, Dies at 89," 27 July 2017
She was admitted and diagnosed with cerebral edema.

— gina carey, Fox News, "Mom dies after taking online diet pills," 6 July 2017
Catravas has spent decades studying endothelial cells, the thin layer that lines blood vessels; patients with sepsis leak blood through the cell walls, causing pulmonary edema and death.

— jim morrison, Smithsonian, "Could Vitamin C Be the Cure for Deadly Infections?," 27 June 2017
Dry drowning, which occurs when a swimmer is on land, is the result of water left in the lungs that causes edema, or swelling, said Dr. Juan Fitz, a spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians.

— daniella emanuel, CNN, "'Dry drowning' suspected in Texas toddler's death," 9 June 2017
A recovery team faces the same risks as climbers, including altitude sickness, edema, frostbite, hypothermia as well as accidents and avalanches.

— associated press, NBC News, "Risky Retrieval of Bodies on Mount Everest Raises Climbers’ Concerns," 30 May 2017
A recovery team faces the same risks as climbers, including altitude sickness, edema, frostbite, hypothermia as well as accidents and avalanches.

— binaj gurubacharya, The Seattle Times, "Risky retrieval of Everest bodies raises climbers’ concern," 30 May 2017
Symptoms include headache, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping and, in severe cases, pulmonary or cerebral edema — swelling or pressure in the lungs or brain.

— christopher elliott, The Seattle Times, "How to beat altitude sickness (or, getting high isn’t always fun)," 26 May 2017
Climbing Everest is an inherently dangerous activity with risks of high-altitude related sicknesses such as cerebral edema, a swelling of the brain that can be fatal.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "American climber dies on Mount Everest, officials say," 21 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'edema.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of edema

New Latin, from Greek oidēma swelling, from oidein to swell; akin to Armenian aytnu- swell, Old English ātor poison

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Medical Dictionary

edema

noun ede·ma

variants: or chiefly British oedema play \i-ˈdē-mə\

medical Definition of edema

plural edemas also edemata \-mət-ə\

:an abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity — called also dropsy

Learn More about edema

See words that rhyme with edema Spanish Central: Translation of edema Nglish: Translation of edema for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of edema for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about edema

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edema

Definition of edema

edematous

Recent Examples of edema from the Web

Origin and Etymology of edema

Other Medicine Terms

Medical Dictionary

edema

medical Definition of edema

Learn More about edema

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edema

Definition of edema

edematous

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Origin and Etymology of edema

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edema

medical Definition of edema

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